This virtual PDP program will explore what peace journalism is within both international and local contexts, and why it is important, especially in these times. A full description and registration link coming soon.
Watch short videos about Peace Journalism here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JqKAQawnK8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64EfDD2Svsg
We are honored to have the following exceptional speakers for this program:
- Vanessa Bassil, Founder and President, Media Association for Peace
- David Brown, Asst. Dean for Community and Communications and Diversity Advisor at Temple University’s Klein College and Executive Director, Civic Coalition to Save Lives
About Vanessa:
Ms. Vanessa Bassil is the Founder and President of the Media Association for Peace (MAP). She is specialized in media, peace and conflict, and is the pioneer of Peace Journalism in Lebanon, the Middle East and North Africa region. She has initiated projects and activities locally and internationally to train and advocate for the role of media in peacebuilding and conflict transformation. Along with her leadership role at MAP, she is a consultant for local and international organizations, organizes conferences, designs and delivers training programs, and manages media production and publications. When she joined the civil society sector in 2009, Ms. Bassil was working as a freelance journalist for different local, regional and international media outlets, reporting on social, political and youth issues, and writing about peace stories. Academically, she is the first Lebanese to earn a MA degree in Media, Peace and Conflict studies from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace, Costa Rica. She also holds two BA degrees in Journalism and Political and Administrative Sciences, in addition to a Master1 in Information and Communication Sciences from the Lebanese University. Ms. Bassil is a TEDx speaker on Peace Journalism and the winner of several prizes for her peace media activism. In 2016, Rotaract (Sahel Metn-Lebanon) awarded her a trophy as an “Inspiring Young Leader.” For more info about Vanessa, go to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessabassil/
About David:
David W. Brown has helped guide the strategic direction for nonprofit and other mission-focused organizations throughout his more than 30–year career. At Temple, he is an assistant professor of instruction in Klein College and serves as faculty advisor of the student chapter of the Black Public Relations Society. He was named Klein College’s first Diversity Advisor to the Office of the Dean. Before joining Temple, he served as executive director of the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children—a nonprofit focused on child literacy by opening and operating previously closed public elementary school libraries. He is also founder of the Marketing Collaborative, a nonprofit that provides strategic marketing services to other Philadelphia nonprofits, and has run or owned five advertising and public relations agencies over the course of his career.
In October 2024, David was named Executive Director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, which partners with Temple and other agencies to save lives by supporting the city and community organizations focused on gun violence intervention through increased coordination and resourcing. The coalition is comprised of over 100 community organizations, businesses and civic institutions. He will take on this new role while continuing his work at Temple, where he has been a key figure in building community partnerships. He was named a “Champion of Change” by the Obama administration for his work in faith, private and public communities. For more about David, CLICK HERE.